My Se4 is still going strong. Outer lugs are starting to undercut some and center tread is showing wear but its been flawless. I've hit some pretty silly stuff with it expecting a flat and none.

I put a XR4 on the front awhile back as well. Its been really good and only pushed to its absolute limits does it start letting loose. Keep in mind I had a Magic Mary on before this which had a lot bigger and deeper lugs.

Does anyone have any specifics on the aforementioned issue with the 2.55? I just mounted a 29 x 2.55 SE4 Team Issue to the front of my Enduro 29 for a week-long bike trip and don't want to discover the Issue first hand. I do have two rides on the tire and the initial impressions are good.

I've been mostly running the Specialized Butcher 2.3 up front but have used a ton of tires over the years. Firstly, and not surprisingly, this thing is BIG. Initially I was like, "get that freaky thing off my bike" but decided to give it a try on some wet limestone trails ...a local spot that people avoid when wet. I was very impressed with the 2.55 while the Specialized Purgatory 2.3 out back was a disaster...sliding all over the place. Set a PR on a 1.5 hour loop, but also feeling fit at the moment so who knows.

Word went out that the now-dry rain had created a hero-dirt situation on the local in-town XC-racer boy trails so I took the Six inch travel bike with the huge -by my standards --tire out to see how it handled zillions of perfectly shaped and smooth turns. This 2.55 leans way the bleep over is all I can say...put up a top 7 Strava time on an ill suited sled but, like I said I'm feeling fit ...but I'm sure I was feeling fit at least once in the prior 97 times I've nru Strava around that loop so maybe there is no issue with the tire.

It had been 4 weeks since I had ridden that bike so I really can't comment on whether I felt the weight or lack of rolling resistance.

I still have my SE4 on and its pretty beat with a ton of miles on it. Hit the local bike park(Blue mountain) Saturday with it thinking that would kill it. It rained a few hours before some it was wet when I got there and the SE4 even with the sipes worn out was doing well. Rode all day as it dried out at spots but rocks, roots, drops and jump lines it never let me down. End of the day it survived 25 miles of blue and black trails in a NE bikepark with zero issues. Seriously impressed with this casing and how the tire held up.

I have another here already waiting to go on and picked up a SE5 to try in front once my current Magic Mary finally wears out.

Just mounted up a 2.35 XR4 team issue on an Ibis 942 rim, and man was it brutal to get on, so tight. Had to soak it in hot water and then soap it up to get it on the rim. Anyone else have this problem? I've had Maxxis and Schwalbe tires in the past and haven't had this kind of struggle, but it is the first time I've mounted a tire onto this rim.

Yes, similar experience for me with the Ibis 941. Talk about a bear to remove, as well. Turned out having the wheel in a hot car (unintentionally) made it a lot easier, but still a bit of a wrestling match.

So it seems the trick with asymetrical rims like the 942 is that you have to mount the wide side first. I found this out because the first ride on the XR4 I sliced it bad enough to throw it away, and then had the same problem mounting the Hans Dampf I bought to replace it. Internet search led me to a helpful MTBR thread about mounting tires on an Ibis wide rim.

I really like the change and the larger size. I have a pair of 2.4 SE4 now with another SE3 and my first new size XR4 on order.

What stands out with the SE4s in 2.4 is still feeling very fast like past 3 and 4 models but traction and predictability I've always like with some Maxxis and Hans Dampf tires.

It is hard to tell if feels faster really is faster or is easier rolling but back to back riding with with the old "4" and new "4" made it obvious I can lean and push front of the bike with more confidence. I love SE3s as a best of breed but a 2.4 SE4 in back is way more of a digger for climbs in crappy stuff. I have to think all the new 4 treads models will be good.

Confession: I'm sure somewhere in years of posts here are negative words about Bontrager and Trek stuff but all the stuff I've had in recent years has been really good. It's not just cheap OEM stuff. I've happily used the tires, lights, bars and stems on non-Trek bikes.

Confession: I'm sure somewhere in years of posts here are negative words about Bontrager and Trek stuff but all the stuff I've had in recent years has been really good. It's not just cheap OEM stuff. I've happily used the tires, lights, bars and stems on non-Trek bikes.

I was told by a local enduro racer to try their tires after blowing yet another hole through a big name tire companies tire. I've had nothing but good luck with them so far. Recently got a pair of Rhythm shoes to replace my Shimano M200s and they are great!

Maybe I'm stupid, but I can't figure out how to buy this tire. Is the new tread pattern available? I want the Expert as a front 29er tire - I see Model # 11643 in a 2.3 but that appears to be the old tread pattern, plus its sold out on Trek's website. Then there's Model # 13585, which I'm pretty sure is the new pattern. [And what is up with using five-digit Model #s? Quaint midwestern advertising or something?] When I click on "weights and specifications" link, I get a new web window with all the allure of a Russian warehouse, and lists two different 29ers with two different weights, and nothing else that distinguishes the two (seriously?), except that they have different "part numbers" - neither of which is the Model #. Apparently there are model numbers and part numbers (???). And unlike previous XR tires which seemed to be available in an astonishing array of sizes, TPI, etc. (major plus!!!), this one only appears to come (for 29ers) in 2.4, and is...sold out. And every time I go to a store, I see the old tread pattern and never the new tread pattern. So I give up and buy Maxxis or Specialized tires because IT'S EASY BECAUSE IT'S 2017. Click, click, done.

Trek's website is, as always, a disaster, they're stuff always seems sold out, isn't widely distributed, and it can be tricky to figure out which tread pattern is old or new. Lastly, they announced a 2.55 a year ago, then it was supposedly "postponed" and now it appears to have been a "marketing error." I actually bought a frame partially based on the promised 2.55. Not pleased with Bontrager! I've been trying to buy my first Bontrager tire for awhile now, but they're not making it easy.

It seems like trek is 99% concerned with making enough tires for their own bikes and 1% concerned with off the shelf sales. It's like they don't want to buy extra cause they're afraid they won't sell. Finding their tires at dealers has always been a pain in the ass. Never have problems finding specialized tires locally.

I'm still running that SE4 29x2.55/2.4 pictured on the Enduro 29 earlier in this thread. Strava is showing 635 miles without issue and I actually run a different front tire for the lesser ttails. I have another one just like it biding it's time. Meanwhile, I've added the XR3 Team Issue in the rear also without issue. I bought the XR3 for an XC race and just left it on because I think the 120 TPI is a difference maker.

As for buying the tires, yes it's spotty st best. The dealer-only Trek site shows bunches of models but most/many out of stock. And the sticker price is pretty steep.

Treks website is a disaster. However I have bought 3 different bonty tires in the past year by getting my Lbs to order them for me. No problems at getting them, took a few days for my xr4s and 2 weeks for an xr3.
Also if you're buying these tires get the team issues, much better rubber compounds for only a few dollars more.

I read somewhere that there was "some kind of disaster" at the plant where the tires are manufactured. Patience. They're just bicycle tires.
Expensive bicycle tires, though.
Some of those already high at $70-75 prices were up to $86 last time I looked, and significant discounts are few and far between. Good thing tires last a looong time where I live...

Just jumping in on this thread because I've been trying to track down these tires as well.

Totally agree, treks website sucks. And the 29x2.4 version of the team tire is sold out everywhere. My local trek dealer, which is a solid shop, can't get any either. Not sure why trek makes it so hard to research a product and then give them my money. Actually, I do know why. Because they're a huge company and direct sales to people like us is not something they care about. Too bad really. Come on trek, get with it. Because like said above, I'll just spend money on another brand.

Just jumping in on this thread because I've been trying to track down these tires as well.

Totally agree, treks website sucks. And the 29x2.4 version of the team tire is sold out everywhere. My local trek dealer, which is a solid shop, can't get any either. Not sure why trek makes it so hard to research a product and then give them my money. Actually, I do know why. Because they're a huge company and direct sales to people like us is not something they care about. Too bad really. Come on trek, get with it. Because like said above, I'll just spend money on another brand.

The web site has had old and new versions and for the most part new not available.

Week before last my pref LBS - Machinery Row - ordered for me and had a 29x2.3 SE3 and 29x2.4 SE4 in 3 days.

At same time the two company owned Trek Store locations in the metro area were a combination of daft and indifferent to someone wanted any of the new size or SE versions.

More time including different conditions and terrain have me more at peace with the wait time for the 29x2.4 SE4s.

I said it before and I'll say it again , Bontrager are the best tires you can buy. They can be hard to get sometimes, I hear the hold up is a production change. I also heard about some type of fire in the plant. Hopefully if there is a production change then I'll change the compound too much . I like the team issue Xr4 on the front and the team issue xr3 on rear. I also like the new labeling on the Xr4. They look much better !!

I said it before and I'll say it again , Bontrager are the best tires you can buy. They can be hard to get sometimes, I hear the hold up is a production change. I also heard about some type of fire in the plant. Hopefully if there is a production change then I'll change the compound too much . I like the team issue Xr4 on the front and the team issue xr3 on rear. I also like the new labeling on the Xr4. They look much better !!

I was able to get tires from my favorite LBS recently.

I try to limit shop talk with a friend who is in Bontrager product management. He said most recent or current shortages are just a time of year thing.

The SE3 and new type SE4 remain favorites. I can't tell the weight difference when riding but I'm not tearing SE tires like I did XR.

After 5-6 weeks with 2.4 SE4s I still can only say good about them. Right now my wife's got those on front and I have them front and rear. She's got SE3 on rear. SE3 feels faster on pavement to trailhead but SE4 doesn't feel slow.

If these are not among the best they sure have high quantities of things I find very important - predictable, they hold leaned over, braking or digging in on a climb.

Getting impatient waiting for these damn things! The new XR4 and SE4 are some of my favorite tires. The casing is the best and they are just about the right mix of rolling speed and grip for a front tire.

I don't care as much for the XR3 tread and I think it could use a re-design with the same style casing as the 4. Also, Bonty needs to make a semi slick a la the rock razor, slaughter, etc.

On a side note, the two Trek stores in my area never spec bontrager tires. I'm not sure if its the owner's prejudice or less competitive pricing but it's inconvenient. They both stock continental MTB tires for some reason.

Getting impatient waiting for these damn things! The new XR4 and SE4 are some of my favorite tires. The casing is the best and they are just about the right mix of rolling speed and grip for a front tire.

I don't care as much for the XR3 tread and I think it could use a re-design with the same style casing as the 4. Also, Bonty needs to make a semi slick a la the rock razor, slaughter, etc.

On a side note, the two Trek stores in my area never spec bontrager tires. I'm not sure if its the owner's prejudice or less competitive pricing but it's inconvenient. They both stock continental MTB tires for some reason.

I just fount one local, the last one. It's mounted to my new Light Bicycles carbon rim Pike 2018 fork. Spot Mayham 29er great new bike by the way!!

On a side note, the two Trek stores in my area never spec bontrager tires. I'm not sure if its the owner's prejudice or less competitive pricing but it's inconvenient. They both stock continental MTB tires for some reason.

Our two Trek Store locations are corporate owned and I'm quite sure some are franchises.

Most local MTB riders in the know try to avoid them or consider their purpose is just to check out bikes. They don't support trail building the way the best shops do. They have their own clubs that don't support trail work and compete with the groups that do. They're staffed heavily with racers who often give poor advice that assumes everyone is an aspiring racer.

I'm sure there are exceptions but here the best friends to trails, best stocked and most friendly to everyone are a few independent bike shops. My favorite is a Trek dealer and sold my SE tires when the Trek Store questioned why an amateur needed anything more than the XR3 they stock.

SE models have a third strip of fabric for extra protection that goes under tread vs just reinforced sidewalls. Their marketing did or might still have stuff that says the 3 strips make them more supple than other protection type tires.

FWIW, my favored dealer looks at his ordering system and is usually close if not on regarding duration of back orders. The Trek site live chat has also informed me when I might see back ordered items.

Ardents are great but I've not had SE Bontragers slice the way I've had Ardents and others slice yet they're pretty darn zippy and predictable so I'm sticking with them for now. YMMV, but most of my riding is divided between a place that's pretty much greased sharp rock and another that's 8 miles of fast expertly carved berms, rollers and jumps. That setup covers both.

I have SE4s front and rear right now, but am going back to XR4s and just picked uo a pair. The SEs are really good, but I never really had pro lems with XR durability. The best thing is that Trek dropped the MSRP from $75 to $55 on the Team Issue XRs. That makes them one of the best deals out there for a really good tire.

sold

Trek website shows XR4 27.5 also in 2.6 and 2.8. 29 in 2.6 and 3.0. All out of stock. I haven't seen them mentioned here. Any idea when they might be coming? I'll try to stop by the lbs and inquire tomorrow if nobody has any info and update.